Football
19y

Soccer-Spanish FA criticised for "relaxed" response to racism

MADRID, Dec 2 - The head of Spain's Sports Council
(CSD) has criticised the national football federation's (RFEF)
response to the incidents of racist abuse that occured in the
friendly between Spain and England.

Rafael Blanco, director general of the government-run CSD,
said that there had been a "certain relaxation" on the part of
the RFEF but expected them to take action over the incidents and
over the behaviour of national team coach Luis Aragones.

"Some people have tried to minimise the incidents," Blanco
told Spanish television station Telemadrid on Thursday.

"But what happened is intolerable in a modern and democratic
state like Spain and has had a damaging effect on Spain's image
in the world and on Madrid's bid for the 2012 Olympics."

Last month's friendly international between Spain and
England was marred by racist abuse and chants aimed at visiting
black players by large sections of the crowd at the Bernabeu.

The run-up to the match had been marked by controversy after
Aragones confronted British journalists who had questioned him
over his apparent racist reference to French striker Thierry
Henry.

"Aragones's declarations were ill-advised, incorrect and
inopportune," said Blanco. "He has recognised that and now it is
up to the Federation to take action.

"We will be monitoring the situation closely and will be
asking the Federation to get involved."

Blanco said that the CSD itself would be introducing tougher
measures to deal with incidents of racism that occurred in
football matches.

Spanish media reported on Thursday that Angel Maria Villar
Llona, who was re-elected as RFEF president for a fifth
consecutive term last week, has been called before the country's
Anti-violence Commission to explain what measures he planned to
take.

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